Devils Trade Palat and Picks to Islanders for Tsyplakov

New Jersey moves on from veteran winger in division swap

Jan. 27, 2026 at 8:47pm

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The New Jersey Devils have traded veteran winger Ondrej Palat and a pair of draft picks to the division-rival New York Islanders in exchange for 27-year-old forward Maxim Tsyplakov. The Islanders will take on Palat's full $6 million salary cap hit for the remainder of this season and next.

Why it matters

This trade represents a significant shift in the Devils' roster as they move on from Palat, a veteran presence, in favor of the younger Tsyplakov. The division rivalry between the Devils and Islanders adds intrigue, as the two teams compete for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference.

The details

In the deal, the Devils sent Palat along with a third-round pick in 2023 and a sixth-round pick in 2027 to the Islanders. In return, New Jersey acquired 27-year-old forward Maxim Tsyplakov. The Islanders will take on Palat's full $6 million salary cap hit for the remainder of this season and next.

  • The trade was completed on Tuesday, January 28, 2026.

The players

Ondrej Palat

A veteran winger who the Devils had been trying to trade for some time.

Maxim Tsyplakov

A 27-year-old forward acquired by the Devils in the trade with the Islanders.

New Jersey Devils

The NHL team that traded Palat and picks to the Islanders.

New York Islanders

The division-rival NHL team that acquired Palat and picks from the Devils.

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The takeaway

This trade represents a strategic move by the Devils to reshape their roster, parting ways with veteran Palat in favor of the younger Tsyplakov. The division rivalry with the Islanders adds an extra layer of intrigue to the deal, as the two teams compete for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference.